| January 14, 2018 | |||||||||
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Lyrics: Many years since I was here (Ooh) Here I am and in this city
I’m back, back in the New York Groove In the back of my Cadillac (Ooh) I feel so good tonight I’m back, back in the New York Groove I’m back, back in the New York Groove I’m back, back in the New York Groove I’m back, back in the New York Groove
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Unbeknownst to many non-music aficionados, Ace Frehley wasn’t the first artist to score a hit with New York Groove. In fact, just three years earlier, English glam rockers Hello made the UK and German charts with this Russ Ballard–penned tune. However, it was the Space Ace who brought this song to the U.S. airwaves in 1978 when each member of Kiss recorded his own solo record. While the solo affairs were, um—well, let’s just say, goat rodeos and leave it at that—Frehley’s album contained this gem. Frehley was quoted by Rolling Stone as having been inspired to record New York Groove after his experiences with hookers in Times Square during the 1970s. I suppose if that’s what it takes to record a piece of pop-rock brilliance, then I give it two geeky thumbs up.* Frehley’s album peaked at number 26 on the Billboard charts, spent 21 weeks on the charts, and was certified platinum; it was the bestselling of the four solo Kiss records. Interestingly, the drummer on Frehley’s record was none other than Anton Fig, who many of you will remember was the drummer for Paul Shaffer’s band on NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman. In fact, during the late-1970s and early 1980s, Fig replaced Kiss drummer Peter Criss on two Kiss albums, Dynasty (1979) and Unmasked (1980). So the next time you hear the disco-flavored I Was Made for Loving You (likely to make an appearance here on DWB radio), just know that Peter Criss was likely crunked and nowhere near a recording studio when that track was recorded.  True story: A couple of years ago, I was in Chicago for a sports collector’s convention and was walking around Chicago near my hotel looking for something to eat. I had my earbuds in when this track came on. Without realizing it, I had been walking to the beat and was standing (grooving) on a corner waiting for the crosswalk light to turn when I looked over and saw two younger ladies giggling in my general direction. I looked over at them thinking, you know, I still got it and stuff. However, as soon as I glanced their way, one of them did a quick imitation of what I must have looked like as I strutted down the street to the sick beat. We all had a good laugh, though I am positive I was laughing with them while they were laughing at me. Moral of the story: Listening to this song in public could result in girls making fun of you. Also, from the Department of Gosh, I Didn’t Know That, our team of addled researchers has learned that Russ Ballard—the aforementioned author of New York Groove—is a former guitarist and keyboardist for the band Argent. You likely know Argent from its 1972 hit, Hold Your Head Up. Even more interesting, argent is the tincture of silver when it comes to heraldry. Stick with us, folks. Our researchers work around the clock to be both entertaining and educational. And we do it for free. Because we love you. * We here at the Dances with Bass megaplex do not endorse hookers. (Mrs. Dances with Bass don’t suffer none’a that.) We’re just applauding whatever drove Mr. Frehley’s inner muse to record this three minutes of pop bliss. Video: No official video was made for this song, but here is an unofficial video with an excellent slideshow of pictures from Frehley’s career:
And as we’ve mentioned previously, we’re completists here at Dance with Bass Radio, and we think it wouldn’t be proper to leave out the original version of the song by Hello. Given the year this was recorded and the look in the bandmembers’ eyes, I’m guessing the “snow” in the video is a nod at another powdery white substance that comes from South America.**
** Our crack team of legal experts made us point out that we are not endorsing drug use or Colombian drug cartels. You Might Also Like:
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